Interaction of sound, silent and mute modes in an electronic device

ABSTRACT

This is directed to controlling the output of audio based on the mode of an electronic device. In particular, this is directed to an electronic device having a sound mode, silent mode, and mute mode controlling the output of audio along different audio output routes. In the sound mode, all audio can be output, while only registered or authorized audio can be output in the silent mode. In the mute mode, no audio can be output. The sound and silent modes can be enabled using an interface of the device (e.g., a switch having two possible states), while the mute mode can be enabled using an accessory coupled to the device. To disengage the mute mode, a user can provide a corresponding instruction using the accessory, or providing an instruction on the device related to volume control. For example, a user can change the device volume using an on-device interface, or toggle a sound/silent switch to a sound mode.

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.15/729,425 filed Oct. 10, 2017, which is a continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 14/594,775, filed Jan. 12, 2015, which is acontinuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/895,464 filed Sep. 30,2010, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,934,645, which claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Application No. 61/298,456, filed Jan. 26, 2010.

BACKGROUND

An electronic device can include several modes for providing audio to auser. For example, a telephone (e.g., a cellular telephone) can includea ring mode and a silent mode. When the ring mode is enabled, incomingcommunications requests may cause the device to output audio indicatingthe request to a user. In addition, system sounds (e.g., audioassociated with inputs, such as key striking sounds) or applicationsounds (e.g., background music in a game application, or voice overhelp) can be provided. Similarly, sounds explicitly requested by a user,such as media playback audio (e.g., provided by a media streamingapplication or by a media application for playing back locally storedmedia) can be provided when the ring mode is enabled.

A user can switch from the ring mode to a silent mode to prevent thedevice from outputting some of the audio. For example, a user may notwant the cellular telephone to provide an audible ring while in ameeting, but may instead want the cellular telephone to vibrate. Insilent mode, no audio indicating an incoming communications request canbe provided, but other non-audible processes can be used instead toindicate the communications request (e.g., a display indication, or ahaptic indication). Similarly, some system sounds and application soundsprovided in the ring mode can also be silenced in a silent mode. Somesystem sounds and application sounds, as well as sounds explicitlyrequested by the user, can however be provided. The system andapplication can qualify different sounds that they provide usingdifferent categories including, for example, categories that indicatewhether a sound is silenced by the silent mode.

Other electronic devices, however, may have no need for a ring mode. Inparticular, notebook and desktop computers, which may not ring uponreceiving a communications request, may not include ring and silentmodes. Instead, these devices can include mute and un-mute modes. In anun-mute mode, all sounds generated by the device can be provided to auser. In particular, system sounds and application sounds can beprovided using different routes (e.g., on-device speakers, through aline-out port, or through an audio jack). In a mute mode, no soundsgenerated by the device can be provided to the different routes foroutput. For example, the device may not send audio associated with thesystem or application to subroutines or processes associated withproviding audio outputs.

SUMMARY

This is directed to a device having both sound and silent modes as wellas mute and un-mute modes, and to the interaction of the modes. In someembodiments, the un-mute mode can be the same as the one of the soundand silent modes that is enabled. The silent mode can be enabled usingan interface of the device, while the mute mode can be enabled using anaccessory coupled to the electronic device.

An electronic device can include several modes for controlling theoutput of audio. In some embodiments, the electronic device can togglebetween a sound mode and a silent mode. The electronic device caninclude any suitable interface for toggling between the modes including,for example, a button. When the sound mode is enabled, all audiogenerated or requested by applications or processes of the device can beoutput by audio output routes of the device. For example, audio can beoutput using one or more of speakers on the device, components coupledto the device via connectors (e.g., headphones connected through anaudio jack, or speakers connected via USB), or components wirelesslycoupled to the device.

In the silent mode, some of the audio generated or requested byapplicants or processes can be restricted and prevented from beingoutput using one or more audio output routes. For example, ringtones andambient sounds can be restricted, while sounds requested by a user(e.g., audio associated with user-requested media playback) can beprovided. While in silent mode, the user can control the volume ofoutput audio by providing instructions to increase or decrease theoutput volume (e.g., the volume of audio registered to be output in thesilent mode.

In some embodiments, the electronic device can in addition include amute mode engageable by an accessory coupled to the electronic device.For example, a keyboard accessory can be coupled to the device using aconnector or a wireless protocol. The keyboard accessory can includeseveral volume control keys including, for example, a mute key. Inresponse to a user selecting the mute key, the electronic device canstop the output of all audio along all audio output routes. The user canun-mute the device using the accessory, or by instructing the device tochange volume (e.g., with or without using the accessory).

In some embodiments, the sound/silent modes and the mute mode canoperate independently and in an additive manner. Alternatively,switching from silent mode to sound mode (e.g., using the electronicdevice switch) can disable the mute mode and enable the device to resumeoutputting audio. In some embodiments, some audio can be output despitethe mute mode. Such audio can be associated with particular applicationsor processes including, for example, applications that are of highinterest to the user even when the user has provided an instruction toenable the mute mode (e.g., a process to “find my device,” or an alarmclock).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other features of the present invention, its nature andvarious advantages will be more apparent upon consideration of thefollowing detailed description, taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an illustrative electronic device that canprovide audio to a user in accordance with one embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of an illustrative electronic device coupledwith an accessory in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of an illustrative display indicating that asound mode is enabled in accordance with one embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of an illustrative display indicating that asilent mode is enabled in accordance with one embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of an illustrative display indicating that amute mode is enabled in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of an illustrative display indicating that amute mode is disabled in accordance with one embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 7 is a flow chart of an illustrative process for providing audiooutput based on the mode of the device in accordance with one embodimentof the invention;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of an illustrative process for enabling anddisabling the mute mode in accordance with one embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary API architecture inaccordance with one embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 10 is a schematic view of illustrative device applications usingAPI calls in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An electronic device having a sound mode, a silent mode and a mute modefor controlling the output of audio by the device is provided. Thedevice can include an input interface for toggling between the sound andsilent modes, and be coupled to an accessory for enabling or disablingthe mute mode.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an illustrative electronic device that canprovide audio to a user in accordance with one embodiment of theinvention. Electronic device 100 can include control circuitry 102 thatincludes one or more processors for controlling the operations andperformance of electronic device 100. For example, control circuitry 102may be used to run an operating system, firmware, media playbackapplications, media editing applications, or any other application. Insome embodiments, the control circuitry can drive a display and processinputs received from a device interface.

Device 100 can provide any suitable output for a user of the device. Insome embodiments, electronic device 100 can include audio circuitry 104.The audio circuitry can be coupled to or include input/output circuitryfor converting (and encoding/decoding, if necessary) digital data (e.g.,reflecting audio clips) and other data into analog signals. In someembodiments, audio circuitry 104 can send digital data (converted ordecoded if necessary) to one or more audio output routes, where an audiooutput component associated with the route can convert the received datato an analog signal. The audio circuitry can receive or retrieve audioto be played back from software applications or firmware operating onthe device. For example, an application can provide informationidentifying a particular audio clip to play back to audio circuitry 104for output.

Audio circuitry 104 can provide audio signals to any suitable audiooutput route 106 for output by the device. Audio output route 106 caninclude any suitable wired or wireless route connecting audio circuitry104 to an audio output component that includes digital to analogconversion circuitry (e.g., a speaker, earbud, or earpiece). In someembodiments, audio output route 106 can include, for example, embeddedspeakers, a headphone jack, a 30-pin connector that includes line outand USB audio routes, a Bluetooth audio route, routes supporting theA2DP or HFP protocols, or combinations of these.

A user can interact with the device using any suitable interface. Insome embodiments, electronic device 100 can include input interface 108,which can provide inputs to input/output circuitry of electronic device100. Input interface 108 can include any suitable input interface suchas, for example, a button, keypad, dial, a click wheel, or a touchscreen. In some embodiments, electronic device 100 may include acapacitive sensing mechanism, or a multi-touch capacitive sensingmechanism. In some embodiments, input interface 108 can include a buttonor switch. The button or switch can be associated with a particulardevice operation. For example, electronic device 100 can include abutton associated with toggling a ring and silent mode. As anotherexample, electronic device 100 can include two buttons for controllingthe volume of audio output along audio output routes 106.

In some embodiments, one or more accessories or accessory components ordevices can be connected to electronic device 100. The accessory can becoupled to the electronic device using any suitable approach including,for example, using accessory interface 110. Accessory interface 110 caninclude any suitable interface for establishing a communications pathbetween an accessory and the electronic device. For example, accessoryinterface 110 can include a wireless interface over which data can betransferred (e.g., a WiFi or Bluetooth interface). As another example,accessory interface 110 can include a wired interface, such as aconnector to which the accessory can be coupled (e.g., directly or via acable). Any suitable connector can be used including, for example, USB,Firewire, 30-pin, or combinations of these. Any suitable accessory canbe coupled to electronic device 100 including, for example, inputinterfaces (e.g., a keyboard or a mouse), output interfaces (e.g.,speakers or a projector), or combinations of these.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of an illustrative electronic device coupledwith an accessory in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.Electronic device 200 can include some or all of the components andfeatures of electronic device 100 (FIG. 1). Electronic device 200 caninclude display interface 202 on which information can be displayed, andbuttons 210, 212 and 214 with which a user can provide inputs to thedevice. In one implementation, button 210 can include a switch that canbe toggled between two states (e.g., a sound/silent switch), whilebuttons 212 and 214 can include a single element positioned overadjacent switches within the device such that only one of buttons 212and 214 can be pressed at a given time (e.g., a bar rotating around anaxis placed between the two switches). Buttons 210, 212 and 214 can beassociated with specific device operations. For example, button 210 canbe associated with toggling between sound and silent modes, whilebuttons 212 and 214 can be associated with increasing or decreasing thevolume of audio output by the device along one or more of the audiooutput routes.

In the example of FIG. 2, electronic device 200 can be coupled tokeyboard accessory 230. The electronic device can use any accessoryinterface to connect to accessory 230 including, for example, a wirelessinterface (e.g., a Bluetooth interface) or a physical connector. Forexample, electronic device 200 can couple connector 220 to correspondingconnector 232 of accessory 230 to enable a communications path betweenthe devices. Connectors 220 and 232 can include, for example, 30-pinconnectors, USB connectors, or combinations of these. In someembodiments, accessory 230 can be part of a dock, or include a receivingportion for supporting and retaining electronic device 200. Keyboardaccessory 230 can include any suitable interface including, for example,buttons 234. In particular, keyboard accessory 230 can include mutebutton 236.

The electronic device can provide any suitable audio output to a user ofthe device. In some embodiments, the particular audio available foroutput, as well as the particular routes available for providing theaudio, can be determined based on the audio output mode of the device.In some embodiments, the electronic device can include a sound mode. Auser can enable the sound mode using any suitable approach including,for example, by toggling a switch (e.g., button 210, FIG. 2) to a soundoption. In response to enabling the sound mode, the electronic devicecan display an overlay to identify the current mode to the user. FIG. 3is a schematic view of an illustrative display indicating that a soundmode is enabled in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.Display 300 can include interface element 310 associated with the soundmode. In response to receiving an input enabling the sound mode, theelectronic device can overlay element 310 on the display for apredetermined period of time (e.g., 3 seconds). In some embodiments,interface element 310 can be partially transparent so that elementsdisplayed underneath interface element 310 remain visible. Element 310can fade after a particular duration has lapsed.

When the sound mode is enabled, the electronic device can output anysuitable audio. In some embodiments, the electronic device can provideany or all audio generated by the device system or by applications toone or more audio output routes. In some embodiments, the generatedaudio (or the process generating or providing the audio) can identifyone or more audio output routes to use. Alternatively, the electronicdevice can select a particular audio output route to use based on thestatus of the device. For example, if a headphone is plugged into anaudio jack, or if a line-out audio component is coupled to the device,the headphone or audio component can preempt an audio output routeassociated with speakers of the device.

The device can output audio at any suitable volume. In some embodiments,the audio can be output at a user-defined volume, for example set by avolume slider displayed on screen, or by inputs detected on a volumebutton of the device (e.g., buttons 212 or 214, FIG. 2) Some audiooutput can instead or in addition be provided at a fixed volume level.In particular, some audio can be provided on audio output routes that donot support volume control. Instead, the volume control is providedusing the component or accessory at the end of the audio output routethat outputs the audio (e.g., a speaker) Such audio routes can include,for example, line-out audio routes (e.g., within a 30-pin connectorroute), audio provided using the Bluetooth A2DP protocol, or other suchroutes. The audio output by the device can then be provided at a fixedline level volume (e.g., 60% of full volume).

In some cases, a user may wish to limit the audio output by the device.To do so, a user can enable a silent mode. For example, a user cantoggle a switch (e.g. button 210, FIG. 2) to disable the sound mode andinstead enable the silent mode. In response to enabling the silent mode,the electronic device can display an overlay to identify the currentmode to the user. FIG. 4 is a schematic view of an illustrative displayindicating that a silent mode is enabled in accordance with oneembodiment of the invention. Display 400 can include interface element410 associated with the silent mode. Interface element 410 can have anysuitable appearance including, for example, a variation of the soundinterface element (e.g., interface element 310 with a line through it).In response to receiving an input enabling the silent mode, theelectronic device can overlay element 410 on the display for apredetermined period of time (e.g., 3 seconds). In some embodiments,interface element 410 can be partially transparent so that elementsdisplayed underneath interface element 410 remain visible. Element 410can fade after a particular duration has lapsed.

In the silent mode, only some of the audio available for output by thedevice may be provided to one or more audio output routes (e.g., onlyregistered audio). In particular, the audio provided by each applicationor process of the device can be categorized in one or more categories,or tagged with one or more attributes. In one implementation, the audioprovided by each application or process can be categorized as eitheroutput in silent mode, or not output in silent mode. For example, audiocan be associated with one of several categories (e.g., audio playbackor ambient audio), where each of those several categories are in turnassociated either with outputting the audio in silent mode, or notoutputting the audio in silent mode. As another example, audio caninstead or in addition be categorized or tagged directly as audio tooutput or not in the silent mode (e.g., registered or not for output inthe silent mode).

An application developer or other author of the process providing audiofor output can decide whether or not the audio should be output in thesilent mode. In some embodiments, an application developer can make thedetermination based on the importance of the audio clip to theapplication, and the relevance of the audio clip with respect to thefunctionality and purpose of the application. For example, audioproviding background music to a game can be categorized as audio thatshould not be output in a silent mode, while an audio clip providing ahint or advice as part of the game can be categorized as audio thatshould be output in the silent mode. As another example, a mediaplayback application (e.g., an application for streaming media, or anapplication for playing back locally stored media) can categorize all ofthe audio provided as part of the application as audio that should beoutput in the silent mode, as the entire purpose of the application isto provide an audio output.

When audio circuitry of the device receives or identifies audio tooutput, the audio circuitry can first determine the category associatedwith the audio. If the audio is associated with a category that does notpermit the output of audio in silent mode (e.g., unregistered audio),the audio circuitry can disregard the audio. Alternatively, the audiocircuitry can provide the audio or information identifying the audio toanother electronic device component (e.g., control circuitry) with anindication that the audio is not to be output while in silent mode.

In some embodiments, the audio circuitry can instead or in additiondetermine whether an audio output route that remains available or activewhile in silent mode is available. For example, the audio circuitry candetermine whether an audio output route associated with a headphone jack(e.g., plugged in headphones) or a line-out (e.g., external speakers) isavailable. If an enabled audio output route remains available, the audiocircuitry can direct the audio to the available audio output route foroutput to the user (e.g., provide a ring tone when a communicationsrequest is received while a user is listening to a media item outputthrough headphones). If only disabled or unauthorized audio outputroutes are available, however (e.g., only the embedded speakers of thedevice are available), the audio circuitry may prevent the audio frombeing provided to the audio output routes. In one implementation, audiooutput routes associated with audio that does not have volume control(e.g., line out and A2DP audio output routes) may remain enabled whilein silent mode (e.g., audio output along these routes remains at theline level volume).

In addition to the sound and silent modes, the electronic device caninclude a mute mode. Contrary to the sound and silent modes, however,the mute mode may not be associated with a particular interface or inputof the device. Instead, an accessory coupled to the device can be usedto enable the mute mode. For example, a keyboard accessory coupled tothe electronic device can include a key or other input interface (e.g.,mute key 236, FIG. 2) operative to enable the mute mode. In someembodiments, however, the electronic device can include an interface forenabling the mute mode (e.g., a separate button, or an intermediatestate for the sound/silent switch).

In response to enabling the mute mode, the electronic device can displayan overlay to identify the current mode to the user. FIG. 5 is aschematic view of an illustrative display indicating that a mute mode isenabled in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. Display 500can include interface element 510 associated with the mute mode. Inresponse to receiving an input enabling the mute mode, the electronicdevice can overlay element 510 on the display for a predetermined periodof time (e.g., 3 seconds). In some embodiments, interface element 510can be partially transparent so that elements displayed underneathinterface element 510 remain visible. Element 510 can fade after aparticular duration has lapsed.

When the mute mode is enabled, the electronic device can prevent allaudio from being output along all audio output routes. For example, theelectronic device can prevent audio from being output from current audiooutput routes (e.g., embedded speakers of the device), available audiooutput routes (e.g., through an audio jack to headphones that could beplugged into the jack), or future audio output routes (e.g., a newaccessory connected via Bluetooth). In particular, the mute mode canprevent audio from being output along audio output routes that do notinclude volume control (e.g., line out and A2DP) by setting the outputvolume to 0 (and not a line level volume), unlike the silent mode.

When the electronic device is disconnected from the accessory (e.g., thewireless accessory moves out of range of the device, or the wiredaccessory is disconnected from a connector of the device), theelectronic device can maintain the mute mode of the device. Inparticular, because the mute mode can be enabled using the accessory, itmay be desirable to retain the mute mode when the device is disconnectedfrom the accessory so that a user can make use of the mute mode withoutthe accessory. In some cases, however, disconnecting the accessory fromthe device can instead disable the mute mode and return the device tothe silent or sound mode (e.g., based on the state of the sound/silentswitch).

A user can disengage the mute mode using any suitable approach. In someembodiments, the user can disengage the mute mode by providing acorresponding input on the accessory (e.g., pressing the mute key). Asanother example, the user can adjust the volume of the device. Forexample, the user can provide an input to increase or decrease thevolume using the accessory (e.g., press a volume up or volume down key).As still another example, the user can provide an input to adjust thevolume using the device (e.g., press a volume up or volume down buttonof the device, or slide a volume slider displayed on a displayinterface). In response to receiving an instruction to adjust thevolume, the electronic device can disengage the mute mode and return theoutput volume to its previous level prior to engaging the mute mode.Alternatively, the electronic device can disengage the mute mode andadjust the previous volume level in a manner corresponding to thereceived volume adjustment input (e.g., raise or lower the previousvolume based on the input received).

In response to disengaging the mute mode, the electronic device candisplay a corresponding indication to the user. For example, theelectronic device can display one of the interface elementscorresponding to the current mode of the device (e.g., sound or silent).As another example, the electronic device can display a variation of theinterface element displayed when the mute mode was engaged. FIG. 6 is aschematic view of an illustrative display indicating that a mute mode isdisabled in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. Display 600can include interface element 610 associated with the un-mute mode.Interface element 610 can have any suitable appearance including, forexample, a variation of the mute interface element (e.g., interfaceelement 510 with waves indicating that sound is emitted). In response toreceiving an input disabling the mute mode, the electronic device canoverlay element 610 on the display for a predetermined period of time(e.g., 3 seconds). In some embodiments, interface element 610 can bepartially transparent so that elements displayed underneath interfaceelement 610 remain visible. Element 610 can fade after a particularduration has lapsed.

In some embodiments, the mute mode and the sound/silent modes can beindependent and additive. In other words, the mute mode can prevent allaudio from being output by the device along all audio output routes, andchanging between the silent and sound modes can have no effect on themute mode (e.g., no sound will be output despite switching between thesound and silent modes, because the mute mode remains enabled). Inaddition, disabling or disengaging the mute mode may not automaticallyre-enable all audio. Instead, the audio output of the device can then becontrolled by the mode set by the sound/silent interface (e.g., thesound/silent switch of the device).

In some embodiments, the mute mode can operate with a few variations tothe description above. In one implementation, one or more particularaudio outputs can be provided along particular audio output routesdespite the mute mode. The particular audio outputs can be limited tosystem audio (e.g., audio associated with operating system operations,or audio associated with applications provided by the operating systemor device manufacturer), such that audio from an application operatingon the device cannot preempt the mute mode. For example, audioassociated with a feature for “finding my device” (e.g., causing thedevice to ring remotely so that it can be found when it is lost ormisplaced) can be output. As another example, clock alarms can be outputin the mute mode, as well as ongoing communications operations audio(e.g., enable telephone audio in the mute mode). As still anotherexample, ringtones associated with incoming communications request, andaudio from newly initiated communications operations can be provided inthe mute mode.

The audio authorized to be output in the mute mode can be provided usingany suitable audio output route. For example, the audio can be providedonly using routes that do not have volume control. As another example,the audio can be provided using routes other than the embedded speakersof the device (e.g., requiring another component for outputting theaudio, such as headphones). As still another example, any audio outputroute can be enabled for the authorized audio. In some cases, theauthorized routes can vary based on the particular audio (e.g.,authorize “find my device” and alarm clock audio along the devicespeaker audio output route, but do not authorize ongoing communicationsaudio).

In some embodiments, other inputs can be used to disengage the mutemode. In one particular implementation, switching the device to thesound mode can also disengage the mute mode. For example, a user mayexpect a mute mode to be disengaged when a sound mode, which can beinconsistent with the mute mode, is enabled on the device. The user canenable the sound mode while the device is in the mute mode using anysuitable approach including, for example, by changing a sound/silentswitch of the device from a silent setting to a sound setting. In someembodiments, however, changing the switch from a sound setting to asilent setting can have no effect on the mute mode. In thisimplementation, the mute mode and the sound/silent modes are notindependent and additive, but interact when the mute mode is initiallyenabled, and an instruction to enable the sound mode is received.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart of an illustrative process for providing audiooutput based on the mode of the device in accordance with one embodimentof the invention. Process 700 can begin at step 702. At step 704, theelectronic device can receive audio to output. For example, audiocircuitry of the device can receive a particular audio clip (e.g., areference to an audio clip) from an application or process, and arequest to output the audio clip. The audio clip can be accompanied by arequest to output the audio on a particular audio output route. In somecases, the audio clip can be associated with one or more categoriesdescribing whether output of the received audio is authorized indifferent modes of the device. At step 706, the electronic device candetermine whether a mute mode is enabled. For example, the electronicdevice can determine whether an instruction was received from anaccessory coupled to the device to mute audio output by the device. Theaccessory can be coupled to the device using any suitable approachincluding, for example, a wired or wireless accessory interface.

If the electronic device determines that the mute mode is enabled,process 700 can move to step 708 and prevent all audio output along allaudio output channels. For example, audio circuitry of the device maynot send any signals along an audio output route. In some embodiments,some specific audio outputs may be authorized along specific audiooutput routes. For example, some system audio (e.g., associated with“find my device” functionality) can always be output. If the receivedaudio is identified as being authorized for output even in the mutemode, the electronic device can output the audio along one or more audiooutput routes (e.g., along all available audio output routes). Process700 can then end at step 710.

If, at step 706, the electronic device instead determines that the mutemode is not enabled, process 700 can move to step 712. At step 712, theelectronic device can determine whether a silent mode is enabled. Forexample, the electronic device can determine whether a switch of thedevice having two available states is in the state associated with thesilent mode. If the electronic device determines that the silent mode isenabled, process 700 can move to step 714. At step 714, the electronicdevice can determine whether the received audio is authorized orregistered to be output along a particular audio output route when thesilent mode is enabled, and output the audio only if it is authorized,or if the audio is registered for the mode. For example, the electronicdevice can determine one or more attributes of the audio (e.g., acategory or tag associated with the audio), and determine the outputprivileges of the audio based on the attributes. The electronic devicecan output the audio, if authorized, along any suitable audio outputroute. For example, the audio may be associated with a particular audiooutput route. Alternatively, the audio may only be authorized for outputalong a particular route. In some embodiments, the audio can be outputalong several audio output routes simultaneously. Process 700 can thenmove to step 710 and end.

If, at step 712, the electronic device instead determines that thesilent mode is not enabled, process 700 can move to step 716. At step716, the electronic device can determine that the sound mode is enabled,and allow all audio output along all audio output routes. For example,control circuitry of the electronic device can direct the audiocircuitry to provide the received audio output to one or more audiooutput routes. Process 700 can then end at step 710.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of an illustrative process for enabling anddisabling the mute mode in accordance with one embodiment of theinvention. Process 800 can begin at step 802. At step 804, an accessorycan be connected to the electronic device. For example, a keyboardaccessory can be coupled to the device via an accessory interface (e.g.,wired or wireless). At step 806, the electronic device can determinewhether a mute mode instruction was received from the accessory. In someembodiments, the instruction to enable a mute mode can be provided viathe accessory (i.e., not from an input interface of the device). If theelectronic device determines that no instruction to enable the mute modewas received from the accessory, process 800 can move to step 808.

At step 808, the electronic device can output audio in accordance withthe state of a sound/silent switch. For example, audio circuitry of thedevice can determine whether the device is in a silent mode or in asound mode, and output received audio from device applications orprocesses in accordance with the determined mode. The electronic devicecan determine the current mode using any suitable approach including,for example, by determining the physical state of a switch of the device(e.g., a physical switch that a user can actuate and move between twostates). Process 800 can then end at step 810. If, at step 806, theelectronic device instead determines that an instruction to enable themute mode was received, process 800 can move to step 812.

At step 812, the electronic device can prevent most audio from beingoutput. For example, audio circuitry of the device can prevent all audiofrom being output except for specific audio clips associated withprocess of high importance. In one implementation, the electronic devicecan prevent the output of all audio except for audio associated with oneor more of a “find my device” process, alarm clock, communications audio(e.g., voice call audio), ringtones, and vibration. At step 814, theelectronic device can determine whether an un-mute instruction wasreceived from the accessory. For example, the electronic device candetermine whether a user provided an input on the accessory to un-mutethe device (e.g., pressed a “mute” key a second time). If the electronicdevice determines that an un-mute instruction was received, process 800can move to step 808, described above.

If, at step 814, the electronic device instead determines that noun-mute instruction was received from the accessory, process 800 canmove to step 816. At step 816, the electronic device can determinewhether an instruction to change the output volume was received. Forexample, the electronic device can determine whether an inputcorresponding to a volume change was provided to an interface of theaccessory (e.g., pressing a volume up or volume down key). As anotherexample, the electronic device can determine whether an input wasprovided to an interface element of the device associated with volumecontrol. Such interface elements can include, for example, one or morebuttons on the device housing (e.g., volume up and down buttons), or adisplayed volume control interface (e.g., a volume control bar andslider displayed on a screen). If an input was provided, the electronicdevice can determine that a user intended to disable or disengage themute mode, and can move to step 808, described above.

If, at step 816, the electronic device instead determines that noinstruction to change the output volume was received, process 800 canmove to step 818. At step 818, the electronic device can determinewhether a sound/silent switch of the device was moved from a stateassociated with the silent mode to a state associated with the soundmode. For example, the electronic device can determine whether aphysical switch of the device housing was moved to reflect a user'sintent to enable the sound mode. If the electronic device determinesthat the sound/silent switch of the device was not moved to a stateassociated with the sound mode, process 800 can return to step 812,described above. In some embodiments, however, changing the state of thesound/silent switch may have no effect on the mute mode, and process 800can return to step 812 independent of the change in state of the switch.In some embodiments, the electronic device can detect a change in thestate of the sound/silent switch to the silent mode. In suchembodiments, the electronic device can move to step 808 and disengagethe mute mode, as described above, or disregard the change in state andreturn to step 812, described above (e.g., changing the sound/silentswitch to silent mode has no effect on the mute mode).

If, at step 818, the electronic device instead determines that thesound/silent switch of the device was moved to a state associated withthe sound mode, process 800 can move to step 820. At step 820, theelectronic device can determine that the sound mode is enabled, andenable all audio output along all audio output routes. For example,control circuitry of the electronic device can direct the audiocircuitry to provide audio received from one or more applications orprocesses to one or more audio output routes for output to the user.Process 800 can then end at step 810. It will be understood that theorder of some of the steps of processes 700 and 800 is illustrative andcan be changed. For example, the order of steps 814, 816 and 818 can bechanged, or the steps can be performed simultaneously.

In some embodiments, the audio circuitry can make use of one or moreapplication programming interfaces (APIs) in an environment with callingprogram code interacting with other program code being called throughthe one or more interfaces. Various function calls, messages or othertypes of invocations, which further may include various kinds ofparameters, can be transferred via the APIs between the calling programand the code being called. In addition, an API may provide the callingprogram code the ability to use data types or classes defined in the APIand implemented in the called program code.

An API is an interface implemented by a program code component(“API-implementing component”) that allows a different program codecomponent (“API-calling component”) to access and use one or morefunctions, methods, procedures, data structures, classes, and/or otherservices provided by the API-implementing component. An API can defineone or more parameters that are passed between the API-calling componentand the API-implementing component.

An API can allow a developer of an API-calling component (which may be athird party developer) to leverage specified features provided by one ormore API-implementing components. An API can be a source code interfacethat a computer system or program library provides in order to supportrequests for services from an application. An API can be specified interms of a programming language that can be interpreted or compiled whenan application is built.

In some embodiments the API-implementing component may provide more thanone API each providing a different view of or with different aspectsthat access different aspects of the functionality implemented by theAPI-implementing component. In other embodiments the API-implementingcomponent may itself call one or more other components via an underlyingAPI and thus be both an API-calling component and an API-implementingcomponent.

An API defines the language and parameters that API-calling componentsuse when accessing and using specified features of the API-implementingcomponent. For example, an API-calling component accesses the specifiedfeatures of the API-implementing component through one or more API callsor invocations (embodied for example by function or method calls)exposed by the API and passes data and control information usingparameters via the API calls or invocations. The API-implementingcomponent may return a value through the API in response to an API callfrom an API-calling component. While the API defines the syntax andresult of an API call (e.g., how to invoke the API call and what the APIcall does), the API may not reveal how the API call accomplishes thefunction specified by the API call. Various API calls are transferredvia the one or more application programming interfaces between thecalling (API-calling component) and an API-implementing component.Transferring the API calls may include issuing, initiating, invoking,calling, receiving, returning, or responding to the function calls ormessages. The function calls or other invocations of the API may send orreceive one or more parameters through a parameter list or otherstructure. A parameter can be a constant, key, data structure, object,object class, variable, data type, pointer, array, list or a pointer toa function or method or another way to reference a data or other item tobe passed via the API.

Furthermore, data types or classes may be provided by the API andimplemented by the API-implementing component. Thus, the API-callingcomponent may declare variables, use pointers to, use or instantiateconstant values of such types or classes by using definitions providedin the API.

Generally, an API can be used to access a service or data provided bythe API-implementing component or to initiate performance of anoperation or computation provided by the API-implementing component. Byway of example, the API-implementing component and the API-callingcomponent may be an operating system, a library, a device driver, anAPI, an application program, or other module (it should be understoodthat the API-implementing component and the API-calling component may bethe same or different type of module from each other). API-implementingcomponents may in some cases be embodied at least in part in firmware,microcode, or other hardware logic. In some embodiments, an API mayallow a client program to use the services provided by a SoftwareDevelopment Kit (SDK) library. In other embodiments an application orother client program may use an API provided by an ApplicationFramework. In these embodiments the application or client program mayincorporate calls to functions or methods provided by the SDK andprovided by the API or use data types or objects defined in the SDK andprovided by the API. An Application Framework may in these embodimentsprovide a main event loop for a program that responds to various eventsdefined by the Framework. The API allows the application to specify theevents and the responses to the events using the Application Framework.In some implementations, an API call can report to an application thecapabilities or state of a hardware device, including those related toaspects such as input capabilities and state, output capabilities andstate, processing capability, power state, storage capacity and state,communications capability, etc., and the API may be implemented in partby firmware, microcode, or other low level logic that executes in parton the hardware component.

The API-calling component may be a local component (i.e., on the samedata processing system as the API-implementing component) or a remotecomponent (i.e., on a different data processing system from theAPI-implementing component) that communicates with the API-implementingcomponent through the API over a network. It should be understood thatan API-implementing component may also act as an API-calling component(i.e., it may make API calls to an API exposed by a differentAPI-implementing component) and an API-calling component may also act asan API-implementing component by implementing an API that is exposed toa different API-calling component.

The API may allow multiple API-calling components written in differentprogramming languages to communicate with the API-implementing component(thus the API may include features for translating calls and returnsbetween the API-implementing component and the API-calling component),however the API may be implemented in terms of a specific programminglanguage.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary API architecture inaccordance with one embodiment of the invention. As shown in FIG. 9, theAPI architecture 900 can include API-implementing component 910 (e.g.,an operating system, a library, a device driver, an API, an applicationprogram, or other module) that implements API 920. API 920 can specifyone or more functions, methods, classes, objects, protocols, datastructures, formats and/or other features of the API-implementingcomponent that may be used by API-calling component 930. API 920 canspecify at least one calling convention that specifies how a function inthe API-implementing component receives parameters from the API-callingcomponent and how the function returns a result to the API-callingcomponent. API-calling component 930 (e.g., an operating system, alibrary, a device driver, an API, an application program, or othermodule), makes API calls through API 920 to access and use the featuresof API-implementing component 910 that are specified by API 920.API-implementing component 910 may return a value through the API 920 toAPI-calling component 930 in response to an API call.

It will be appreciated that API-implementing component 910 can includeadditional functions, methods, classes, data structures, and/or otherfeatures that are not specified through API 920 and are not available tothe API-calling component 930. It should be understood that API-callingcomponent 930 may be on the same system as API-implementing component910 or may be located remotely and accesses API-implementing component910 using API 920 over a network. While FIG. 9 illustrates a singleAPI-calling component 930 interacting with API 920, it should beunderstood that other API-calling components, which may be written indifferent languages (or the same language) than API-calling component930, may use API 920. In FIG. 10 (“Software Stack”), an exemplaryembodiment, applications can make calls to Services A or B using ServiceAPI and to Operating System (OS) using OS API. Services A and B can makecalls to OS using OS API.

Although many of the embodiments of the present invention are describedherein with respect to personal computing devices, it should beunderstood that the present invention is not limited to personalcomputing applications, but is generally applicable to otherapplications.

The invention is preferably implemented by software, but can also beimplemented in hardware or a combination of hardware and software. Theinvention can also be embodied as computer readable code on a computerreadable medium. The computer readable medium is any data storage devicethat can store data which can thereafter be read by a computer system.Examples of the computer readable medium include read-only memory,random-access memory, optical disks (e.g., CD-ROMs, DVDs, or Blu-Raydiscs), magnetic discs, magnetic tape, and flash memory devices. Thecomputer readable medium can also be distributed over network-coupledcomputer systems so that the computer readable code is stored andexecuted in a distributed fashion.

Insubstantial changes from the claimed subject matter as viewed by aperson with ordinary skill in the art, now known or later devised, areexpressly contemplated as being equivalently within the scope of theclaims. Therefore, obvious substitutions now or later known to one withordinary skill in the art are defined to be within the scope of thedefined elements.

The above-described embodiments of the invention are presented forpurposes of illustration and not of limitation.

What is claimed is:
 1. An electronic device comprising a plurality ofaudio output modes including a first mode, a second mode, and a thirdmode; and control circuitry, audio circuitry and a plurality of audiooutput routes, the control circuitry operative to: in the first mode,direct the audio circuitry to prevent media player application output toone of the audio output routes but allow system generated audio contentand notifications; in the second mode, direct the audio circuitry toprovide registered audio to one of the audio output routes for output;and in the third mode, direct the audio circuitry to provide the mediaplayer application output and the system generated audio content andnotifications to one of the audio output routes for output, whereinrespective volumes of a first application and a second application withrespective audio routes are independently controllable.
 2. The device ofclaim 1 wherein the second and third modes are enabled via anapplication programming interface that acts as a switch having twopossible states, respectively, and the first mode is enabled via anaccessory that is coupled to the device.
 3. The device of claim 1wherein the first mode is mute mode, the second mode is silent mode, andthe third mode is sound mode.
 4. The device of claim 1 wherein when inthe second mode, background music of a game application is preventedfrom being output through one of the audio output routes.
 5. The deviceof claim 4 wherein when in the second mode, hints or advice in the gameapplication are allowed for output through one of the audio outputroutes.
 6. The device of claim 1 wherein the first application is aclock alarm and the second application contains audio not associatedwith high importance.
 7. The device of claim 1 wherein the firstapplication is a voice call and the second application contains audionot associated with high importance.
 8. The device of claim 1 whereinthe first application is a ringtone and the second application containsaudio not associated with high importance.
 9. The device of claim 1wherein the first application is a device finding application and thesecond application contains audio not associated with high importance.10. The device of claim 1 wherein when the first mode is disabled, thedevice is in one of the second mode or the third mode.
 11. A methodperformed by an electronic device having a plurality of audio outputroutes and a plurality of audio output modes including a first mode, asecond mode, and a third mode, the method comprising: when in the firstmode, directing audio circuitry to prevent media player applicationoutput to one of the audio output routes but allow system generatedaudio content and notifications; and when in the second mode,determining authorization of audio based on a tag associated with theaudio and directing the audio circuitry to provide authorized audio toone of the audio output routes for output; and when in the third mode,directing the audio circuitry to provide the media player applicationoutput and the system generated audio content and notifications to oneof the audio output routes for output, wherein respective volumes of afirst application and a second application with respective audio routesare independently controllable.
 12. The method of claim 11 wherein thesecond and third modes are enabled via an application programminginterface that acts as a switch having two possible states,respectively, and the first mode is enabled via an accessory that iscoupled to the device.
 13. The method of claim 11 wherein the first modeis mute mode, the second mode is silent mode, and the third mode issound mode, and the mute mode is independent from and additive to thesound mode and silent mode, such that audio output is prevented when themute mode is enabled, regardless of changes between the sound mode andthe silent mode.
 14. The method of claim 11 wherein when in the secondmode, background music of a game application program is prevented frombeing output through one of the audio output routes.
 15. The method ofclaim 14 wherein when in the second mode, hints or advice in the gameapplication program are allowed for output through one of the audiooutput routes.
 16. The method of claim 11 wherein the first applicationis a clock alarm and the second application contains audio notassociated with high importance.
 17. The method of claim 16 wherein thefirst application is telephone audio and the second application containsaudio not associated with high importance.
 18. The method of claim 11wherein the first application is a ringtone and the second applicationcontains audio not associated with high importance.
 19. The method ofclaim 11 wherein the first application is an audio device findingapplication and the second application contains audio not associatedwith high importance.
 20. The method of claim 11 wherein when the firstmode is disabled, the device is in one of the second mode or the thirdmode.